FA Cup run can inspire AFC Mansfield to league success - Chatfield

The Northern Counties East League Premier side were beaten 4-2 against National League North Boston United, who sit three tiers higher, today - ending a run which had seen the Bulls knock out Sherwood Colliery, Cleethorpes Town and Gainsborough Trinity.

"We've been toe-to-toe with a team three divisions above and everything was against us," Chatfield said.

"I'm proud of the lads, they put in a display worthy of competing at this level. We rode our luck at times but that's how it is in the FA Cup.

"We had a couple of good chances, hit the post and had a penalty claim.

"We played well and I'm, proud of the lads."

Terry Hawkridge and Jordan Burrow had netted tap-ins to put Boston 2-0 up inside 13 minutes, but Lynton Karkach's neat flick and volley reduced the arrears.

Ross Duggan smashed a strike against the Boston post, coming within a whisker of equalising before Luke Shiels' header and Fraser Preston's drive made it 4-1.

However, AFC had the final say as Tom Slone headed home late on.

"The two early goals we conceded were poor and we need to be sorted out. After that it's how we adapt," Chatfield added.

"It could have been a drubbing, it wasn't.

"We turned the tables on them, had a good opportunity when we hit the post.

"They were comfortable and we rocked them back into a game. I'm delighted how we came back into it, we kept in there until 90 minutes."

The Bulls return to league action now as they face Goole on Tuesday Athersley Recreation on Saturday, with valuable points up for grabs.

"It's now good to concentrate on the league. We're a few games behind now and our aim is to get into that top three spot come the end of the season," Chatfield said.

"It's about consistency at our level. Consistent teams go up and we need that run, winning games is a habit and we want to be in that habit.”